Treatment sytems for fluids with nanomaterial

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for removing nanomaterial from a fluid and/or from a body; and for treating a fluid by passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver, flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure, and killing undesirable things in the treatment structure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/374,701 filed Jan. 6, 2012 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/317,588 filed Oct. 21, 2011; and this is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/374,243 filed Dec. 16, 2011. The present invention and application claim priority under the United States Patent Laws from U.S. application Ser. No. 13/317,588 filed Oct. 21, 2011; Ser. No. 13/374,243 filed Dec. 16, 2011 and Ser. No. 13/374,701 filed Jan. 6, 2012 and Ser. No. 13/373,283 filed Nov. 9, 2011 which claims priority from U.S. Application Ser. Nos. 61/458,444 filed Nov. 22, 2011; 61/519,054 filed May 16, 2011; 61/465,783 filed Mar. 24, 2011; and 61/465,132 filed Mar. 15, 2011. This application claims priority under the Patent Laws from U.S. application Ser. No. 13/317,588 filed Oct. 21, 2011; Ser. No. 13/373,283 filed Nov. 9, 2011; Ser. No. 13/374,243 filed Dec. 16, 2011; 61/455,886 filed Oct. 28, 2010; 61/456,397 filed Nov. 4, 2010; and 61/459,484 filed Dec. 13, 2010; 61/458,444 filed Nov. 22, 2011; 61/519,054 filed May 16, 2011; 61/465,783 filed Mar. 24, 2011; and 61/465,132 filed Mar. 15, 2011. Priority is claimed from all said applications in this paragraph and all are incorporated fully herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to systems and methods for treating fluids; to such systems and methods for purifying water; and, in certain particular aspects, to systems and methods for purifying water using electrical current passed through the water to kill undesirable things in the water, the current flowing via electrically conductive nanomaterial in a treatment structure though which the water flows; and in certain aspects, such systems and methods in which undesirable things are killed by the biocidal effects of silver. The present invention is directed to systems and methods for removing nanomaterial from other material which may be in the form of masses, combinations, or agglomerations of solids; fluids; fluid or gas with solids entrained therein; slurries; vapors; or gases. The removal systems are directed to removing nanomaterial from industrial material and fluid; and, in certain aspects, removing nanomaterial from fluids or bodily material, with removal of bodily material done inside a body or outside a body. In one particular aspect, nanomaterial is removed from fluids used in industry; e.g., but not limited to, fluids used in the oil and gas industry; e.g., but not limited to, drilling fluids, completions fluids, brines, injection fluids, and fluids used in fracturing operations or “fracking fluids.”

2. Description of Related Art

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art system and method as disclosed in AHigh Speed Water Sterilization Using One-Dimensional Nanostructures@ by Schoen et al, American Chemical Society, 2010, pages 3628-3632 which describes a Agravity-fed biofouling resistant device that can inactivate bacteria@. Water flows from a container, through a structure S, and down by gravity into a collection container. The structure S is made of cotton and has silver nanowires (AAgNWs@) and carbon nanotubes (ACNTs@). The carbon nanotubes provide electrical conductivity over the active area of the structure when a current is imposed on it with a power source (AV@). Silver was chosen since it is a well-known bactericidal agent. The device was operated at five separate biases from −20 to +20 volts and a copper mesh counterelectrode was held at ground at approximately one centimeter from the structure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in certain aspects, discloses systems and methods for treating fluids, e.g., but not limited to, water and air; such systems and methods for killing things in fluids, e.g., but not limited to, killing bacteria, viruses, algae and/or fungi; in certain aspects, such systems and methods which employ fluid movement by mechanisms or action other than, or in addition to, gravity feed; and such systems and methods in which a treatment structure through which the fluid flows has silver or silver alloy material and electrically conductive nanomaterial which, when an appropriate potential difference is applied across it, results in a current flow and in a lethal current being applied to living thing(s) in the fluid flowing through the treatment structure.

In certain embodiments of systems and methods according to the present invention, undesirable things are killed by the biocidal effects of silver. In certain particular aspects, silver is provided with electrically conductive nanomaterial; in some aspects such nanomaterial in combination with another source of silver; and in other aspects with another source or silver and/or with a solution of colloidal silver. In certain embodiments of systems and methods according to the present invention, liquids are moved by capillary action, siphonage, and/or by moving structures; while in other aspects when silver is provided by nanomaterial with silver therein or thereon (with or without silver wires, pieces, or the like) gravity fed liquid is employed.

In certain embodiments of systems and methods according to the present invention, fluid is heated by imposing an electrical current on electrically conductive nanomaterial in the liquid thereby resistively heating the nanomaterial and, in turn, heating the liquid. In one particular aspect, the liquid is heated sufficiently to kill undesirable things in the liquid. In certain aspects, the current is applied by applying a potential difference across a treatment structure according to the present invention.

Electrically conductive nanomaterial includes any known nanomaterial which can conduct electricity and which is present in treatment structures according to the present invention in sufficient amount, dispersion and concentration so that things in fluid being treated are killed by a current passing through the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial; the electrically conductive nanomaterial including, but not limited to, electrically conductive nanotubes, nanorods, nanowires, nanoparticles, nanostructures, nanofibers, nanofabric, nanocylinders, nanographene, nanographene ribbons, transformed nanomaterials, functionalized nanomaterial, metallized nanomaterial, carbon nanomaterials, e.g., but not limited to, carbon nanotubes, and electrically conductive nanotubes including single walled nanotubes, multi-walled nanotubes, functionalized nanotubes and metallized nanotubes. Electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver is any electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver thereon and/or therein and/or combined therewith which silver acts as a silver ion donor to provide silver ions for killing undesirable things, including, but not limited to nanomaterial metallized with, coated with, or plated with silver or silver alloy(s), including, but not limited to, nanotubes with such metallization, plating, or coating and/or nanotubes with protection material that is silver added or applied as in, for example, any of the methods for protecting nanotubes with protective material disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/638,999 filed Nov. 14, 2008. The electrical conductive nanomaterial is added to and dispersed in a fluid by any suitable known means, including, but not limited to, mixing, pouring, blending, stirring, and sonication.

Silver material includes silver and silver alloys present in sufficient amounts, dispersion and concentration so that the killing effects of silver for killing certain living things are achieved; including, but not limited to, silver, silver alloys, argentium (either 93.5% minimum silver content and 96% minimum silver content, billion, silver electrum, goloid (including, but not limited to, as in U.S. Pat. No. 191,146), britannia silver, shibuichi, sterling silver, and tibetan silver, or some combination of two, three or more of these and silver and silver materials that provide a desired amount of the bioactive silver ion Ag+. The silver material can be present in any form, e.g., but not limited to, as particles, granules, wires, pieces, discs, fiber, fabric, mesh, or in solution.

The present invention provides methods for removing nanomaterial from a fluid or from a bodily material (e.g., fluid, tissue, or cells). In one aspect, the nanomaterial is introduced into a body (e.g, of a living thing, an animal, a human being) and then is located in bodily material; and then nanomaterial is removed from the material. In some aspects, the bodily material is within the body when it is removed. In certain aspects, the bodily material is removed from the body and the nanomaterial is removed. In certain aspects, the bodily material is removed from the body, the nanomaterial is removed, and then the bodily material is returned to the body. In certain aspects, the method is an autologous method in which the bodily material is fluid, the fluid is removed from the body and treated to remove nanomaterial, and the fluid is returned to the body; and, in one aspect, this is done continuously.

In certain aspects, the nanomaterial is introduced into the body or into bodily material intentionally and is then removed. In certain aspects, the nanomaterial is unintentionally introduced into the bodily material or into the body and is then removed. Bodily material can include plasma, blood, blood, urine, feces, bile, lung fluid, mucous, spinal fluid, bone, fluid in a brain, and/or saliva.

Removal of nanomaterial from a bodily material, according to the present invention, can be done inside the body or outside the body, with or without the return of the bodily material to the body. In certain aspects, a thing (thing, apparatus, device, system, equipment) that effects nanomaterial removal is placed within a body in, near, or on bodily material which has nanomaterial therein or thereon; nanomaterial is removed from the bodily material to a location in or on the thing; and then the thing, or part of it with the nanomaterial, is removed from the body.

The removed nanomaterial may be any nanomaterial in the references referred to in the previous paragraph, in the following paragraph, and/or those disclosed in these U.S. patents and in these U.S. applications: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,820,132; 7,812,083 and 7,670,831 and U.S. Applications publication numbers 2010/0288980; 2010/0173376; 2010/0160553; 2010/0158193; 2010/0140097; 2010/0068526; 2010/0012922; 2010/0000770; 2009/0314647; 2009/0311166; 2009/006846; 2009/0001326; 2008/0233396; 2008/0145300; 2008/0044651; 2008/0020130; 2007/0236325; 2006/0135030; 2006/0093642; 2004/0202603; 2003/0012723; 2004/0028901 and 2004/0235016 (all said references incorporated fully herein for all purposes); and nanomaterial includes NanoTags and McNanos, e.g., as disclosed in U.S. application Ser. Nos. 13/374,573 and 13/373,283; and nanomaterial and nanoTags and McNanos as disclosed in PCT Application PCT Int'l App. NO. PCT/US2012/000105 (all said applications U.S. and PCT incorporated fully herein for all purposes); and “nanomaterial” includes any known nanomaterial, nanotubes, nanorods, nanowires, nanoparticles, nanostructures, nanofibers, nanofabric, nanocylinders, nanotextiles, nanographene, nanographene ribbons, transformed nanomaterials, functionalized nanomaterial, metallized nanomaterial, carbon nanomaterials, e.g., but not limited to, carbon nanotubes, and electrically conductive nanotubes including single walled nanotubes, multi-walled nanotubes, functionalized nanotubes and metallized nanotubes. nanomaterial metallized nanotubes with protection material that is silver added or applied as in, for example, any of the methods for protecting nanotubes with protective material

In certain aspects, the present invention provides a method to remove nanomaterial from a bodily material in which the nanomaterial has a tag thereon and nanomaterial removal is facilitated using the tag. Any two or more of all of the removal techniques herein may be combined. Any known tag and any known tagging method may be used, including, but not limited to, those disclosed in or referred to in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20120039790 naming Sandhu as applicant, and any tag or method disclosed in references cited in this application. Nanomaterial may be tagged inside a body or outside a body.

It is within the scope of the present invention to remove nanomaterial by any system or method disclosed herein from industrial fluids such as liquids, vapors, gases, and slurries and fluids used in the drilling, completion, maintenance, injection, and workover of geothermal wells, oil wells and gas wells and in formation fracturing methods, including, but not limited to drilling fluids, fracturing fluids, completion fluids, injection fluids, cements, lost circulation fluids, fluids with biocide, and brines. Accordingly, the present invention includes features and advantages which are believed to enable it to advance fluid treatment technology and nanomaterial removal technology. Characteristics and advantages of the present invention described above and additional features and benefits will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and referring to the accompanying drawings. What follows are some of, but not all, the objects of this invention. In addition to the specific objects stated below for at least certain preferred embodiments of the invention, there are other objects and purposes which will be readily apparent to one of skill in this art who has the benefit of this invention's teachings and disclosures. It is, therefore, an object of at least certain preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide: New, useful unique, efficient, nonobvious systems and methods for removing nanomaterial from other material; new, useful unique, efficient, nonobvious systems and methods for removing nanomaterial from fluids and, in certain particular aspects, for removing nanomaterial from animals, e.g., animals and/or human beings; and in certain particular aspects, for removing nanomaterial from blood, e.g., but not limited to extracorporeally and/or autologously; new, useful unique, efficient, nonobvious systems and methods for treating fluids to kill things in fluid such as, but not limited to, bacteria, algae, fungi and viruses using silver and/or lethal electric current flowing via electrically conductive nanomaterial; such new, useful, unique, efficient, nonobvious systems and methods using fluid movement by mechanisms or action other than, or in addition to, gravity feed; such new, useful unique, efficient, nonobvious systems and methods in which liquids are moved by capillary action, siphonage, upflow, and/or by moving structures; and new, useful unique, efficient, nonobvious systems and methods for treating fluids in which an electric potential difference is imposed on electrically conductive nanomaterial within a structure through which the fluid flows, so that electric current flows for killing things in the fluid; the structure, optionally, also containing silver and/or silver alloy(s); and such systems and methods in which liquid passing through structures according to the present invention is heated by the resistive heating of electrically conductive nanomaterial within a treatment structure according to the present invention; and such systems and methods in which structures according to the present invention through which fluids flow have pores with pores sizes sufficiently large that the fluid is not filtered and/or with pores sizes that are sufficiently small that the fluid is filtered; and, in certain aspects, a treatment structures is a filter elements or filter cartridge;

New, useful unique, efficient, nonobvious systems and methods in which treated fluids are passed through secondary structure for removing things killed within a primary structure and/or secondary structure for removing nanomaterial from treated fluid (either of which can be true for any base material disclosed herein).

Such new, useful, unique, efficient, nonobvious systems and methods in which nanomaterials are removed from treated fluids and, in one aspect, nanomaterials are used which have or which are combined with magnetic material (magnetically attractive and/or magnetically susceptible) so that magnet(s) and/or magnet apparatus are used for removing the nanomaterials from treated fluid.

Certain embodiments of this invention are not limited to any particular individual feature disclosed here, but include combinations of them distinguished from the prior art in their structures, functions, and/or results achieved. Features of the invention have been broadly described so that the detailed descriptions that follow may be better understood, and in order that the contributions of this invention to the arts may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects of the invention described below and which may be included in the subject matter of the claims to this invention. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this invention, its teachings, and suggestions will appreciate that the conceptions of this disclosure may be used as a creative basis for designing other structures, methods and systems for carrying out and practicing the present invention. The claims of this invention are to be read to include any legally equivalent devices or methods which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The present invention recognizes and addresses the long-felt needs and provides a solution to problems and a satisfactory meeting of those needs in its various possible embodiments and equivalents thereof. To one of skill in this art who has the benefits of this invention's realizations, teachings, disclosures, and suggestions, other purposes and advantages will be appreciated from the following description of certain preferred embodiments, given for the purpose of disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detail in these descriptions is not intended to thwart this patent's object to claim this invention no matter how others may later disguise it by variations in form, changes, or additions of further improvements.

It will be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention may include one, some, or all of the disclosed, described, and/or enumerated improvements and/or technical advantages and/or elements in claims to this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

A more particular description of embodiments of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by references to the embodiments which are shown in the drawings which form a part of this specification.

These drawings illustrate embodiments preferred at the time of filing for this patent and are not to be used to improperly limit the scope of the invention which may have other equally effective or legally equivalent embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of prior art system.

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 1B is an enlargement of part of the system of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a person wearing a mask according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a mask according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a fluid treatment system according to the present invention.

FIG. 18A is a schematic view of a fluid treatment system according to the present invention.

FIG. 18B is a schematic view of a fluid treatment system according to the present invention.

FIG. 19A is a schematic side crosssection view of a fluid treatment system according to the present invention.

FIG. 19B is a schematic side crosssection view of a fluid treatment system according to the present invention.

FIG. 20A is a front view of a fluid treatment system according to the present invention.

FIG. 20B is an exploded view of the fluid treatment system of FIG. 20A.

FIG. 21 is a schematic side crosssection view of a fluid treatment system according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of a fluid treatment system including a shale shaker according to the present invention.

FIG. 23A is a schematic view of a membrane according to the present invention.

FIG. 23B is a schematic view of a membrane according to the present invention.

FIG. 23C is a schematic view of a membrane according to the present invention.

FIG. 23D is a schematic view of a membrane according to the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a schematic perspective view of a filter according to the present invention.

FIG. 25A a micrograph of the edge of a nanostructured material according to the present invention with a 20 micron metal mesh superstructure.

FIG. 25B is a micrograph of a material according to the present invention showing nanotubes in a pore of a supporting superstructure (cellulose acetate) wrapping themselves around the fibers of the support structure.

FIG. 26 is a schematic view of a membrane according to the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a schematic view of a fluid purification system according to the present invention.

FIG. 28A is a schematic side crosssection view of a fluid treatment system and method according to the present invention.

FIG. 28B is a schematic side view in crosssection of a fluid treatment system and method according to the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a schematic view of a fluid treatment system according to the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a schematic view of a fluid treatment system according to the present invention.

FIG. 31A is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 31B is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 31C is a schematic view of a nanomaterial removal system useful, inter alia, according to the present invention, e.g., in the system of FIG. 31A or 31B.

FIG. 31D is a schematic view of a nanomaterial removal system useful, inter alia, according to the present invention, e.g., in the system of FIG. 31A or 31B.

FIG. 31E is a schematic view of a nanomaterial removal system useful, inter alia, according to the present invention, e.g., in the system of FIG. 31A or 31B.

FIG. 31F is a schematic view of a nanomaterial removal system useful, inter alia, according to the present invention, e.g., in the system of FIG. 31A or 31B.

FIG. 31G is a schematic view of a nanomaterial removal system useful, inter alia, according to the present invention, e.g., in the system of FIG. 31A or 31B.

FIG. 32 is a schematic view of system according to the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention.

Certain embodiments of the invention are shown in above-identified figures and described in detail below. Various aspects and features of embodiments of the invention are described below. Any combination of aspects and/or features described below can be used except where such aspects and/or features are mutually exclusive. It should be understood that the appended drawings and description herein are of certain embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In showing and describing these embodiments, like or identical reference numerals are used to identify common or similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness. As used herein and throughout all the various portions (and headings) of this patent, the terms “invention”, “present invention” and variations thereof mean one or more embodiments, and are not intended to mean the claimed invention of any particular embodiment. Accordingly, the subject or topic of each such reference is not automatically or necessarily part of, or required by, any particular embodiment. So long as they are not mutually exclusive or contradictory any aspect or feature or combination of aspects or features of any embodiment disclosed herein may be used in any other embodiment disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, treatment structures according to the present invention in embodiments described below have base material electrically conductive nanomaterial and, optionally, silver or silver material. Current flowing in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial kills living thing(s) in fluid flowing through the treatment structure and, when present, silver ions contributed by the silver material also act to kill the living thing(s). The present invention provides methods for treating a fluid, the methods including: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material in a base material, the fluid, optionally, containing silver material, the treatment structure, optionally, containing silver material other than silver in or on nanomaterial, the methods including flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure, and killing undesirable things in the treatment structure. Such methods may have one or some, in any possible combination, of the following: wherein the fluid is water; wherein the fluid passes through the treatment structure by the force of gravity; wherein the fluid passes through the treatment structure by siphoning; wherein the fluid passes through the treatment structure by pumping; wherein the treatment structure is moved through the fluid so that the treatment structure takes in fluid and said fluid passes through the treatment structure for treating thereby; wherein electric current flows through substantially all of the treatment structure; wherein electric current flows through a portion of the treatment structure; wherein the treatment structure contains base material and the electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material is in the base material; wherein the base material is one of nylon, plastic, fibers, granular media, fabric, fibril materials, filamentous materials, inorganic or organic materials, biological organism selective materials, natural or synthetic materials, cotton, wool, polyester, fiber glass, metal, woven or nonwoven, air laid web material, sheets of material, interleaved sheets, material with pores or openings or pore sizes such that it does not filter fluid or material with pores or openings or pore sizes of such dimensions that fluid is filtered, material containing silver and/or silver material; wherein the nanomaterial is one of nanotubes, nanorods, nanowires, nanoparticles, nanostructures, nanofibers, nanofabric, nanocylinders, nanographene, nanohorns, nanographene ribbons, transformed nanomaterials, functionalized nanomaterial, metallized nanomaterial, carbon nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes, single walled nanotubes, multi-walled nanotubes, functionalized nanotubes and metallized nanotubes; flowing treated fluid from the treatment structure; wherein the treated fluid contains dead things killed in the treatment structure, the method further including removing dead things from the treated fluid; wherein the treated fluid contains nanomaterial, the method further including removing nanomaterial from the treated fluid; wherein the removed nanomaterial contains magnetically attractive material, the method further including removing the nanomaterial containing magnetically attractive susceptible) material with magnet apparatus; wherein the magnet apparatus is one of magnet, at least one magnet, a plurality of magnets, an electromagnet apparatus, at least one electromagnet apparatus, and a plurality of electromagnet apparatuses; wherein magnet apparatus is within the treatment structure, adjacent the treatment structure, within a member through which the treated fluid passes, or within a container containing the treated fluid; wherein the electric current heats fluid in the treatment structure; wherein the electric current boils fluid in the treatment structure; and/or wherein the electric current heats fluid in the treatment structure thereby killing living things in the fluid.

The present invention provides methods for treating a fluid which include: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material, flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure, killing undesirable things in the treatment structure producing treated fluid, flowing the treated fluid back to the treatment structure, passing the treated fluid through the treatment structure, flowing an electric current in the treated fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure. The present invention provides methods for treating a fluid which include: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial, the fluid containing silver or silver material, flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure, and killing undesirable things in the treatment structure, wherein the fluid is moved through the treatment structure by siphoning or by pumping or wherein the treatment structure is moved through the fluid. In such a method the electrically conductive nanomaterial may include electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver.

The present invention provides methods for treating a fluid which include: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial, the fluid containing silver or silver material, flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial silver to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure, the electric current passing through only a portion of the treatment structure, killing undesirable things in the treatment structure. In such a method, the electrically conductive nanomaterial may include electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material.

The present invention provides methods for treating a fluid which include: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial, the fluid containing silver or silver material, flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial silver to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure, killing undesirable things in the treatment structure, flowing treated fluid from the treatment structure, and removing dead things from the treated fluid. In such a method, the electrically conductive nanomaterial may include electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material. The present invention provides methods for treating a fluid which include: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial, the fluid containing silver or silver material, flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial silver to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure, killing undesirable things in the treatment structure, removing nanomaterial from the treated fluid. In such a method, the electrically conductive nanomaterial may include electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material; and, optionally, the removed nanomaterial contains magnetically attractive material, the method further including removing the nanomaterial containing magnetically attractive material with magnet apparatus. In such a method, the magnet apparatus may be one of magnet, at least one magnet, a plurality of magnets, an electromagnet apparatus, at least one electromagnet apparatus, and a plurality of electromagnet apparatuses and/or the magnet apparatus may be within the treatment structure, adjacent the treatment structure, within a member through which the treated fluid passes, or within a container containing the treated fluid.

The present invention provides methods for treating a fluid which include: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial, the fluid containing silver or silver material, flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial silver to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure, killing undesirable things in the treatment structure, wherein the electric current heats the electrically conductive nanomaterial which heats fluid in the treatment structure. Such a method may include one or some, in any possible combination, of the following: wherein the electric current boils fluid in the treatment structure; wherein the electric current heats fluid in the treatment structure thereby killing living things in the fluid; and/or wherein the electrically conductive nanomaterial includes electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material. The present invention provides methods for treating a fluid which include: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial, flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial material to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure, killing undesirable things in the treatment structure producing treated fluid, flowing the treated fluid back to the treatment structure, passing the treated fluid through the treatment structure, flowing an electric current in the treated fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure. In such a method, the electrically conductive nanomaterial may include electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material.

The present invention provides treatment structures for fluids which include therein electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material. Optionally, such a structure includes a power source for applying current to the nanomaterial to kill things in the fluid, e.g., but not limited to, a battery or a solar power source. In any system herein, a power source may be located as desired, including, but not limited to, location outside of nanomaterial, adjacent nanomaterial, in or adjacent base material used with nanomaterial, in or adjacent filter material used with nanomaterial, within nanomaterial, on or adjacent a container or housing for a treatment structure, and/or on or within a filter cartridge with nanomaterial therein.

FIG. 1A shows a system 180 according to the present invention which has a fluid to be treated, e.g. water W, in a first container 181 which flows to an outlet 182 in which is disposed a structure 183 according to the present invention through which treated water W flows down into a second container 184. A power source V imposes a voltage so that a current flows between the top of the structure and the bottom thereof to kill things within the water that pass through the structure.

The structure 183 (enlarged in FIG. 1B) has base material BM (any disclosed herein) in which is dispersed multiple pieces of electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material NMW. Optionally, other silver ion donor material Ag (e.g., but not limited to, the wires of FIG. 1) is used dispersed in the base material BM. Optionally, with or without the material Ag present, colloidal silver solution (any disclosed herein) is added to the liquid in the first container 181 and/or into the liquid in the second container 184 (as may be done in any system according to the present invention with any second container receiving liquid by gravity feed and/or into any container into which liquid moves, is moved or is siphoned). Any power source disclosed herein connected in any manner disclosed herein may be used with the structure 183.

It is within the scope of the present invention to delete the silver material SM (e.g., to delete the silver material SM from any of the embodiments of FIGS. 2-17) and to use electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver in the systems and methods to kill undesirable things in fluids.

In certain particular aspects, the electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver is metallized nanotubes including silver or silver material; functionalized nanotubes with silver; coated nanotubes coated with silver or silver material; electrically conductive nanotubes with protective material that is silver or silver material, including, but not limited to, carbon nanotubes protected with silver or silver material which is added, applied or included as protective material is combined with nanotubes as disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/738,999 filed Nov. 14, 2008 (incorporated fully herein for all purposes), whether or not such application teaches the use of silver or silver material as a protective material and including, but not limited to, mixing nanotubes with silver or silver material, comminuting nanotubes with silver or silver material, grinding nanotubes with silver or silver material, pulverizing nanotubes with silver or silver material, combining nanotubes with silver or silver material or blending nanotubes with silver or silver material; or plated nanotubes plated with silver or silver material. It is also within the scope of this invention to delete the silver wires AgNws from the system of FIG. 1 and to use for the carbon nanotubes some nanomaterial with silver as disclosed or referred to herein.

FIG. 2 shows a system 20 according to the present invention which has a fluid to be treated, e.g. water W, in a first container 21 which flows to an outlet 22 in which is disposed a structure 23 through which the water W flows down into a second container 24. A power source V imposes a voltage across the structure 23 so that a current flows between the top of the structure and the bottom thereof to kill things within the water that passes through the structure. As is true for each embodiment described as having Asilver material SM@, the structure 23 has silver material SM which may be any possible silver material as described herein.

is true for any embodiment of the present invention and for any treatment structure according to the present invention, the power source V may be any suitable known apparatus, device, or system that can impose a potential difference across the structure 23 or across part of the structure 23, including, but not limited to, conventional power source, a battery, solar power system or generator, generator, wind power system, or combination thereof. As is true for any embodiment of the present invention and for any treatment structure according to the present invention, the structure 23 may be a structure like any disclosed herein.

In one aspect, the structure 23 is like the structure S. Optionally, the structure 23 has electrically conductive nanomaterial NM (not shown to scale). A base material of the structure 23 and a base material BM of the structure 26 (as is true for any base material BM indicated in other drawing figures) may be, but is not limited to, nylon, plastic, fibers, granular media, fabric, fibril materials, filamentous materials, inorganic or organic materials, biological organism selective materials, natural or synthetic materials, e.g., including but not limited to cotton, wool, polyester, fiber glass, metal, or blends or mixtures thereof; and fabric base material can be woven or nonwoven (e.g. air laid webs), or mixtures or combinations of sheets or portions thereof or interleaved sheets thereof. The base material BM can have openings or pore sizes such that it does not filter fluid passing through a structure containing it or it can have openings or pore sizes of such dimensions that fluid flowing through a treatment structure is filtered.

FIG. 2A shows a system 25 according to the present invention with a treatment structure 26 and a power source V (like the power source in FIG. 2). The structure 26 may be a treatment structure like any disclosed herein. The power source has leads 27 a, 27 b which are connected to points on the structure 26 spaced-down and apart from the top (lead 27 a) and up and spaced-apart from the bottom (lead 27 b). The power source imposes an electrical potential difference on part of the structure and a current flows through electrically conductive nanomaterial NM. This current kills things in fluid passing through the structure 26. Optionally, and as is true for any possible connection of leads, connectors, cables, etc. for transmitting electric current, the leads etc. used may be on the same side or portion of a treatment structure or, e.g. as shown by the dotted line for the lead 27 b in FIG. 2A, they may be on opposed sides or portions of a treatment structure. As is rue for any embodiment herein, the nanomaterial NM may be nanomaterial with silver.

FIG. 3 shows a system 30 according to the present invention that includes some parts which are like those of the system of FIG. 1 (and like labels indicate like parts) and new items according to the present invention. In addition to a structure S, the system 30 includes a treatment structure 31 which siphons fluid from a primary container 32 into a secondary container 33. The power source V provides a bias across the structure 31 so that a current flows therethrough to kill things. Optionally, a separate power source is provided for the structure 31. The structure 31 may—as is true for any structure according to the present invention—be like any structure according to the present invention and/or be made of material(s) like that of any treatment structure according to the present invention. The power source imposes an electrical potential difference and a current flows via electrically conductive nanomaterial NM (not shown to scale). No nanomaterial shown in the drawings is to scale.

FIG. 4 shows a system 40 according to the present invention which has a treatment structure 41 which siphons fluid F from a primary container 42 into a secondary container 43. A power source V (e.g., like any disclosed herein) provides a voltage difference across the structure 41, via fluid in the container 42 and fluid in the container 43 so that a current flows therethrough to kill things passing through the structure 41. The power source imposes an electrical potential difference on the structure and a current flows via electrically conductive nanomaterial NM (not shown to scale).

FIG. 5 shows a system 50 according to the present invention which has a treatment structure 51 which siphons fluid F from a primary container 52 into a secondary container 53. A power source V (e.g., like any disclosed herein) provides a voltage difference across the structure 51, via fluid in the container 52 and via a connection to the bottom of the structure 51 so that a current flows therethrough to kill things passing through the structure 51. The power source imposes an electrical potential difference on the structure and a current flows via electrically conductive nanomaterial NM (not shown to scale).

FIG. 6 shows a system 60 according to the present invention which has a treatment structure 61 which siphons fluid F from a primary container 62 into a secondary container 63. A power source V (e.g., like any disclosed herein) provides a voltage difference across the structure 61, via a connection to the structure 61 above the fluid in the container 52 and via a connection to the bottom of the structure 61 so that a current flows therethrough to kill things passing through the structure 61. The power source imposes an electrical potential difference on the structure and a current flows via electrically conductive nanomaterial NM (not shown to scale).

FIG. 7 shows a system 70 according to the present invention that includes some parts which are like those of the system of FIG. 1 (and like labels indicate like parts) and new items according to the present invention. In addition to a structure S, the system 70 includes a treatment structure 71 which treats and siphons fluid from a primary container 72 into a secondary container 73. A power source W (like any disclosed herein) provides a bias across part of the structure 71 so that a current flows therethrough to kill things. The structure 71 may—as is true for any structure according to the present invention—be like any structure according to the present invention and/or be made of material(s) like that of any treatment structure according to the present invention. The power source W provides the potential difference across a discrete portion R of the structure 71. The power source imposes an electrical potential difference on part of the structure and a current flows via electrically conductive nanomaterial NM (not shown to scale) which is in the part R of the structure 71.

FIG. 8 shows a system 80 according to the present invention that includes a treatment structure 81 which treats and siphons fluid from a primary container 82 into a secondary container 83. A power source V (like any disclosed herein) provides a bias across part of the structure 81 so that a current flows therethrough to kill things. The structure 81 may—as is true for any structure according to the present invention—be like any structure according to the present invention and/or be made of material(s) like that of any treatment structure according to the present invention. The power source V provides the potential difference across a discrete portion of the structure 81 that has nanomaterial NM therein. The power source imposes an electrical potential difference on part of the structure and a current flows via the electrically conductive nanomaterial NM (not shown to scale).

FIG. 9 shows a system 90 according to the present invention that includes a treatment structure 901 according to the present invention with base material BM with electrically conductive nanomaterial NM therein. Optionally the structure 901 includes silver material SM (not shown to scale; indicated by dots). The base material BM can be, but is not limited to, nylon, plastic, fibers, granular media, fabric, fibril materials, filamentous materials, inorganic or organic materials; biological organism selective materials natural or synthetic materials; e.g., including but not limited to cotton, wool, polyester, fiber glass, metal, or blends or mixtures thereof. The fabric can be woven or nonwoven (e.g. air laid webs), or mixtures or combinations of sheets or portions thereof or interleaved sheets thereof. The base material can have openings or pore sizes such that it does not filter fluid passing through a structure containing it or it can have openings or pore sizes of such dimensions that fluid flowing through a treatment structure is filtered. The structure 901 has an intake end 14, a discharge end 16, and an optional support element 12. The structure 901 is placed between an upper vessel 22 and a lower vessel 24 with the intake end 14 not in contact with the bottom of the upper vessel 22 or in contact therewith. The discharge end 16 may or may not contact the bottom of lower vessel 24.

The lower vessel 24 is below vessel 22. Siphoning action is maintained between a liquid 18 (e.g., water) contained in the vessel 22 and the liquid 28 that has flowed into the vessel 24. A valve 32 (in an inlet 30) opens; the liquid is introduced into vessel 22 until a liquid level 20 is close to a top of the vessel 22; then, the valve 32 closes. The liquid 18 wets the intake end 14 and enters the structure 901 at the liquid surface level 20. The liquid 18 rises through the structure 901 above the level 20 to a top portion of the structure 901. A bent portion of the structure 901 directs liquid flow downward toward the discharge end 16. Siphoning takes over once liquid flow passes the liquid level 20 on the downside portion. Treated liquid 28 exits the discharge end into the lower vessel 24. At this point, in continuous operation mode, the valve 32 and a valve 40 (in an outlet 38) may be adjusted to maintain a desired flow rate. In one aspect, in a batch operation, the valve 32 remains closed until a new batch of liquid 18 is introduced to the system. The discharge end 16 may be left suspended over the vessel 24 so that liquid 28 falls from discharge end 16 into vessel 24. The liquid level 20 and the support 12 may be adjusted so that the bent portion of the structure 901 is in contact with the surface level 20.

The structure 901, as is true for any treatment structure according to the present invention, can be sized and/or configured in many forms and may have any cross-sectional area to fit any particular application, e.g., but not limited to, circular crosssection, cylindrically shaped, square shaped, or rectangularly shaped. Also, as is true for any treatment structure according to the present invention, the base material be made of a combination or composite of two, three or several materials having different characteristics to fit any particular application.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 9, an enclosure 42 isolates an inner gaseous atmosphere 52 which contacts the structure 901 and the liquid 18. The enclosure 42 permits modification and control of the pressure, the temperature, and the composition of inner atmosphere 52. An inlet 48 may be provided to inject different compositions of liquid and/or gas, to attach a pump for changing the pressure of the gas between the housing and the medium, or to attach an apparatus 101 for control of the temperature within the enclosure (or for recirculation of gas). The temperature of the liquid can be raised, lowered, or maintained so that the liquid exiting from the outlet is at a desired temperature. By appropriate sizing of the treatment structure and its length above the liquid level, a desired amount of cooling can be effected.

The temperature control may take a variety of forms. It is shown as one which heats or cools, but it could take other forms such as heating and cooling coils surrounding a housing. Additionally, the pressure, temperature and composition of a gas in the enclosure may be controlled by a plurality of individual controls, or by a single control apparatus. Although the ends 44 and 46 of the enclosure 42 are shown immersed in the liquids 18 and 26, this is only to provide a seal for the inner atmosphere 52. The enclosure is not intended to work as a siphon. In one aspect, the liquid does not flow through the inner space occupied by the atmosphere 52, but only through the structure 901. The enclosure 42 may take a variety of forms, and it may also completely enclose vessels 22 and 24. A separate container (shown by a rectangle in dotted lines) may be used to enclose both vessels 22 and 24 and the enclosure 42.

A power source V (shown schematically; like any power source disclosed herein) imposes a potential difference on the structure 901 (on substantially all of it or on a part or parts of it) so that, via the electrically conductive nanomaterial NM, a lethal current flows killing living thing(s) that pass through the structure 901.

FIG. 10 illustrates a system 100 according to the present invention for treating a liquid L is oil and water in a two-phase liquid combination. The system 100 has a container 102 containing a two-phase liquid with one phase 104, an oil phase, above another phase 106, a water phase. A treatment structure 108 according to the present invention is primed with water prior to its insertion into the liquid and, extends through the oil 104 into the water 106. Another treatment structure 110 extends into the oil 104. The structure 110 transports treated oil from the container 102 and the structure 108 transports treated water from the container 102. Of course only one treatment structure may be employed to purify only one liquid or one liquid or more of a multi-phase combination may be treated by using the appropriate number of structures.

Power sources V (shown schematically; like any power source disclosed herein) impose a potential difference on their respective treatment structures 108, 110 (on substantially all of or on a part or parts of the treatment structure) so that, via the electrically conductive nanomaterial therein, a lethal current flows killing living thing(s) that pass through the structure.

As shown in FIG. 11 two treatment structures 111 and 112 may be used to treat and remove water from a container 114 containing an emulsion of oil and water. The treatment structures 108, 110, 11, and 112 may be any structure disclosed herein according to the present invention. Power sources V (shown schematically; like any power source disclosed herein) impose a potential difference on their respective treatment structures 111,112 (on substantially all of or on a part or parts of the treatment structure) so that, via the electrically conductive nanomaterial therein, a lethal current flows killing living thing(s) that pass through the structure.

As shown in FIG. 12 a treatment structure 120 according to the present invention can include different base materials at different locations therein. For example, the structure 120 may have cotton C, wool W, ballistic material, Kevlar (trademark) material K, and nylon N. Of course, as desired different materials in different lengths and in different configurations may be present in different areas. Electrically conductive nanomaterial NM may be present in one, some, or all of these areas. Silver material SM may be present in one, some, or all of these areas.

FIG. 13 discloses a system 130 according to the present invention which has a treatment structure 131 which may be like any treatment structure disclosed herein that has electrically conductive nanomaterial NM in base material BM, and, optionally, silver material SM. Optionally, the nanomaterial NM is electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material. Optionally, such materials are throughout the structure 131 or only in a part of or parts of the structure 131 (as may be true for any treatment structure according to the present invention). By siphon action, the treatment structure 131 conveys fluid, e.g., water, from a first container 132, e.g., a cup, to a second container 133, e.g., a cup, and the fluid is treated as it flows through the structure 131. A power source V (shown schematically; like any power source disclosed herein) impose a potential difference on the treatment structure 131 on substantially all of or on a part or parts of the treatment structure) so that, via the electrically conductive nanomaterial therein, a lethal current flows killing living thing(s) that pass through the structure.

Optionally, and as may be included with any treatment structure according to the present invention, a battery system BA connected to the structure 131 imposes a potential difference on substantially all or part of or parts of the structure 131; and/or optionally, and as may be included with any treatment structure according to the present invention, a solar power system SP connected to the structure 131 with a solar cell (or cells) SC imposes a potential difference on substantially all or part of or parts of the structure 131. Any power system used with the system 130 (or with any system according to the present invention), may supply sufficient power to heat the treatment structure, to heat fluid passing therethrough, to boil fluid therein, to boil water therein, and/or to kill undesirable things in fluid passing through the treatment structure.

FIG. 14 discloses a system 140 according to the present invention which has a treatment structure 141 which may contain any electrically conductive material NM disclosed above, optionally any silver material SM disclosed above, and any base material BM disclosed above. A power source V (shown schematically; like any power source disclosed herein) impose a potential difference on the treatment structure 141 on substantially all of or on a part or parts of the treatment structure) so that, via the electrically conductive nanomaterial therein, a lethal current flows killing living thing (s) that pass through the structure. Multiple power sources V may be used with the structure 141.

A moving apparatus MA with rollers RL moves the treatment structure 141 through liquid LQ in a container 142 and then this liquid passes through part of the structure 141 and, as the structure 141 moves as indicated by the arrows therein, the treated liquid flows from the structure 141 into a container 143 from which it can be evacuated via an outlet 144. Optionally a system 145 with piping 146 and a pump 147 provides fluid (e.g., gas and/or liquid) that is pumped through the structure 141 for further treatment of fluid passing through the structure 141. The structure 141 moves through appropriate openings 147 in the piping 146. The fluid supplied by the system 145 may be any known fluid provided in known treatment and/or filtration systems.

FIG. 15 shows a person wearing a mask 150 according to the present invention which has a treatment structure 151 (which may be like any treatment structure described above, e.g., but not limited to, as in FIGS. 1-13). A power source Va (like any power source described above, including, but not limited to, as in FIG. 13) provides power for producing a current across the structure 151. Suitable insulation is used to prevent the person from getting shocked.

FIG. 16 shows a mask 160 according to the present invention which has a treatment structure 161 (which may be like any treatment structure described above, e.g., but not limited to, as in FIGS. 1-13, 15). A power source Vb (like any power source described above, including, but not limited to, as in FIG. 13 or 15) provides power for producing a current across the structure 161. Suitable insulation is used to prevent a person wearing the mask from getting shocked.

FIG. 17 shows a system 170 according to the present invention which has a treatment structure 171 according to the present invention which may be any treatment structure disclosed above with a power source V which may be any power source disclosed above. Input fluid FI with undesirable living thing(s) therein flows through and is treated by the treatment structure 171 so that the living thing(s) are killed. Fluid with dead things FD (which may have nanomaterial therein from the structure 171) flows to an optional apparatus 172 which removes the dead things DT producing fluid FL. The fluid FL (or, optionally, the fluid FD) is fed to an apparatus 173 which removes nanomaterial NL from the fluid FL (or FD) producing output treated fluid FO free of dead things and/or free of at least some or substantially all of nanomaterial that was in the fluid FD.

It is within the scope of the present invention to include with any system according to the present invention and/or with any treatment structure according to the present invention an apparatus 172, an apparatus 173 and/or both such apparatuses. It is also within the scope of the present invention to recycle fluid from any step shown in FIG. 17 back to the system 170 and/or to any previous step in the system (indicated by the dotted lines beneath fluid FD, fluid FL, and adjacent the arrow indicating flow of the fluid FO). Optionally, the system 170 may include magnet(s) M, and/or magnet apparatus or apparatuses and/or heater(s) H used as described above.

It is within the scope of the present invention to pump fluid to a treatment structure according to the present invention, e.g., as shown in FIG. 17 fluid FI may, optionally, be pumped with a pump P to the treatment structure 171. In such embodiments, the treatment structure need not act as a non-gravity-feed fluid mover. Also, optionally, any suitable pump is used to feed the apparatuses 172 and 173. Instead of or in addition to the silver material SM used in embodiments described above, a solution with silver particles, including, but not limited to, known colloidal silver solutions, (e.g., but not limited to, such solutions with a liquid suspension of microscopic silver particles with a concentration of 30 parts per million, less than 30 parts per million, 50 parts per million, or more) may be added to fluid or to a container with fluid to be treated by a treatment structure and/or system according to the present invention and/or to any container or housing in any system herein into which fluid is introduced before, during, or after treatment according to the present invention, including, but not limited to, into a container or housing into which fluid is gravity fed, upflowed, or siphoned. Optionally, any treatment structure disclosed herein may be soaked or primed with a silver solution, including, but not limited to, systems with treatment structures which act to siphon fluid which may be primed with such a silver solution.

The optional apparatus 172 may be any suitable known apparatus, machine, device or method for removing the dead things from the liquid; including, but not limited to, filters, porous membranes, centrifuges, skimmers, precipitation-based apparatuses and methods, density-differential separation systems and/or structures, and bottom sweepers; and may also include systems and methods for separating treated water from other things, e.g. distillation and condensation systems and methods which result in the fluid, e.g. water, being separated from the dead things. The optional apparatus 173 may be any suitable known apparatus, machine, device or method for removing nanomaterial from liquid. The apparatus 173 may be or may employ the separation principles disclosed in any reference referred to herein, including, but not limited to, the following United States references, all fully incorporated herein, for all purposes and in the references cited in these references: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,250,188; 7,815,806; 7,074,310; 7,727,505; 7,074,310; 7,514,063; and in U.S. Applications with publication numbers 2004/0232073; 2006/0054555; 2006/0062718; 2008/0290007; 2008/0260616; 2008/0063587; 2007/0269364; and 2007/0258880.

The electrically conductive nanomaterial used in embodiments of the present invention may be any electrically conductive nanomaterial in the references referred to in the previous paragraph and those disclosed in these U.S. patents and in these U.S. applications: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,820,132; 7,812,083 and 7,670,831 and U.S. Applications publication numbers 2010/0288980; 2010/0173376; 2010/0160553; 2010/0158193; 2010/0140097; 2010/0068526; 2010/0012922; 2010/0000770; 2009/0314647; 2009/0311166; 2009/006846; 2009/0001326; 2008/0233396; 2008/0145300; 2008/0044651; 2008/0020130; 2007/0236325; 2006/0135030; 2006/0093642; 2004/0202603; 2003/0012723; 2004/0028901 and 2004/0235016 (all said references incorporated fully herein for all purposes). The silver material used in methods according to the present invention (e.g. the silver material SM in some drawings) may be any thing with silver disclosed in the references referred to in this paragraph or in the previous paragraph and/or in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,820,292; 6,918,284; 7,355,216; and 7,820,291 and/or in U.S. Applications publication numbers 2005/0208304 and 2010/0000770 and in the references disclosed in these patents and in these published applications. Nanomaterial with silver therein, therewith, or thereon may be, but is not limited to, any nanomaterial with silver in any of the references in this paragraph or in the previous paragraph. In any embodiment herein, silver may be provided by connectors, wires, or leads used with an electrical power source, with the connectors, etc. in and/or exposed to liquid to be treated.

In one aspect, the nanomaterial has magnetically attractive (sometimes called “susceptible”) material therein or thereon or combined therewith (e.g., in a fabric, mesh, intertwined material, material adhered together, bonded together, sintered together, connected together, tied together, or fused together as disclosed in any of the references in the previous two paragraphs) and a source of magnetism (any suitable known source) is used to attract the nanomaterial for removal from the liquid. As shown in FIG. 18A, magnet(s) 185 and/or magnet(s) 185 a remove nanomaterial 186 (not to scale) from water W. The nanomaterial 186 is electrically conductive nanomaterial which includes magnetically attractive material MAM (not shown to scale). The magnet(s) may be spaced-apart; one magnet may be used (or one magnet system; the magnets may be in a liquid outlet and/or is a conduit; in a separate container; and/or they may in contact with or associated with a treatment structure according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 18B, an electromagnet system 187 and/or 187 a removes electrically conductive nanomaterial 186 a (like numerals indicate like things in FIGS. 4 and 18A and 18B). Numeral 180 s indicates a treatment structure according to the present invention (which may be any treatment structure according to the present invention). A power source 180 v is used, but an power source disclosed herein may be used to impose a voltage so that current flows in the treatment structure.

It is within the scope of the present invention to pass sufficient current for a sufficient time period through any electrically conductive nanomaterial in any embodiment hereof so that the fluid with the nanomaterial is heated. In one particular aspect, the heating is sufficient to kill undesirable things in the fluid. In one aspect the fluid is water and the heating is sufficient to kill undesirable things in the water, and, in one particular aspect the heating is sufficient to boil the water. Any power source disclosed herein with suitable sensors and controls may be used for this purpose. Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 18B, a system 188 heats a portion of the treatment structure 41 to kill things therein and/or a system 189 heats fluid in the container 43 to kill things therein. Optionally a heater is used not to kill things, but to heat fluid in a treatment structure and/or in a container and/or in a conduit.

Referring now to FIG. 19A a fluid to be treated, e.g., but not limited to, contaminated water with living things 198 (not to scale), is introduced into a pool 199 of a system 190 according to the present invention, and the fluid is forced through a screen 191 into a channel 197 that allows the screened fluid to flow via pipe work or channels to reservoirs or tanks (not shown) for subsequent use. Contaminants, dead things, and/or debris falls under gravity to a lower surface LS, from which they can be conveyed out from under the screen 191 by any suitable means or method, including, but not limited to, by vibration, by an auger, or via a moving belt. An optional inclined surface IS may be used to facilitate conveyance of contaminants, etc., out of the pool 199. The screen 191 has electrically conductive nanomaterial NM therein and/or thereon (not shown to scale), or the screen is made of such material. Optionally the system 190 includes silver material SM on the screen, in liquid in the pool 199, or both. A system V imposes a potential difference across the screen 191 thereby applying a current to the nanomaterial NM which is sufficient to kill things in the fluid flowing through or into contact with the screen 191.

FIG. 19B shows a system 192 according to the present invention which has a container C into which material R is introduced, e.g. the material including liquid L and living things S. The material R flows to a screen apparatus A which is mounted in a basket or box X. Part P of the material, e.g. liquid or liquid plus some dead things, flows up through the screen apparatus A. The part P is removed from the system by removal apparatus W (e.g. vacuum or pump apparatus). Part of the material, e.g. solids, dead things, and/or agglomerations or masses of solids, either settles down in the container C or, upon being prevented from further upward flow by the screen apparatus A and/or by material already adjacent the screen apparatus A, falls downwardly in the container C.

The screen apparatus A has electrically conductive nanomaterial NM therein and/or thereon (not shown to scale), or the screen is made of such material. Optionally the system 192 includes silver material SM on the screen apparatus, in liquid in the container C, or both. A system W imposes a potential difference across the screen apparatus thereby applying a current to the nanomaterial NM which is sufficient to kill things in the fluid flowing through or into contact with the screen apparatus. Any method or system herein may use a removal apparatus W to facilitate the movement, evacuation, or removal or treated fluid, e.g. but not limited to water treated to kill living things, for a flow stream or from a container. Instead of the screen 191 or the apparatus A, any treatment structure according to the present invention can be used with the systems 190 and 192.

FIGS. 20A and 20B show a fluid treatment system 200 according to the present invention which has optional frames 206 a and 206 b, a sheet of material 201, a second optional sheet of material 202, an optional electrical conductive apparatus 203, an optional screen 208 a, and an optional screen 208 b. It is within the scope of the present invention for the material 201 to be of such a size and for openings through the material 201 to be of such a size that the material does not act as a filter, but simply allows fluid (air or liquid) to flow therethrough unimpeded (and this is true for the material 202). Alternatively, the material 201 may include any known filter material or media (as may the material 202).

The material 201 has electrically conductive nanomaterial NM therein, thereon, and/or combined therewith (nanomaterial not shown to scale), optionally, silver material SM. Optionally, the nanomaterial NM is electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material. Optionally, such materials are throughout the material 201 or only in a part of or parts of it. Fluid flows through the material 201 and the fluid is treated as it flows therethrough. A power source PS (shown schematically; like any power source disclosed herein) imposes a potential difference on the material 201 on substantially all of or on a part or parts of the material so that, via the electrically conductive nanomaterial therein, a lethal current flows killing living thing(s) that pass through the material 201.

Optionally, the material 201 contains silver material SM which may be any silver material disclosed herein. Optionally, the material 202, the screens 208 a and 208 b, and/or the apparatus 203 may have nanomaterial NM and/or silver material SM as described for the material 201.

A power source PR (like any disclosed herein) imposes a potential difference across the material 201. Optionally, the material 202 may also have its own dedicated power source like the power source PR. Optionally, the screen 208A and/or the screen 208 b may also have its own dedicated power source like the power source PR. Optionally the apparatus 203 is like the electrical conductive means disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,425 (incorporated fully herein for all purposes).

FIG. 21 illustrates a system 210 according to the present invention which has a housing 211 with an inlet 213 through which fluid flows to an interior of the housing 211 and an outlet 214 from which treated fluid flows out from the housing 211. A filter cartridge 215 is mounted within the interior 212 of the housing 211 with a filter outlet 219 in fluid communication with the housing outlet 214 so that fluid treated by the filter cartridge 215 can flow out from the filter cartridge into the outlet 214.

The filter cartridge 215 has filter material 216 (which is any known suitable filter material for filtering a fluid, e.g., a gas, a liquid, or a combination thereof). Fluid flows through the filter material 216 which filters out things of a desired size and then filtered fluid flows into an interior 215 a from which it flows to the filter cartridge outlet 219. Optionally, the filter material fills the filter cartridge. The housing 211, inlet 213, outlet 214, outlet 219, and the general overall shape of the filter cartridge 215 may be any desired shape and, in one aspect, each of these is generally circular in crosssection.

The filter material 216 contains nanomaterial NM (not shown to scale) which is present in sufficient amounts and is sufficiently dispersed so that, when a potential difference is imposed thereon by a power source 217 (labeled APC@), current flows of sufficient power to kill live things in fluid being filtered. The nanomaterial NM may be any electrically conductive nanomaterial disclosed herein. Optionally the filter material 216 also has silver material SM therein (not shown to scale) which may be any silver or silver material disclosed herein. In one aspect, such a filter system is provided in which the nanomaterial is not used. Optionally, silver material SM is provided in the fluid flowing into the housing by a system 218 (e.g., but not limited to, a silver solution, e.g, but not limited to, a colloidal silver solution). Any system herein according to the present invention may have a system like the system 218 for providing silver for a fluid in a container or injection into a treatment structure.

The power source 217 may be located as indicated in FIG. 21; or it may be located within a housing (shown by a power source in dotted line within the housing 211) or within filter material (or within base material in other systems) and the power source may be any type disclosed herein, including, but not limited to, solar power systems, generators, and batteries.

The present invention, therefore, provides, in at least certain embodiments, a treatment structure or apparatus, and/or a method for treating a fluid, the method using the treatment structure and including: passing fluid (e.g., gas, water, or a mixture thereof) through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver; flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure; and killing undesirable things in the fluid. Such a method may include one or some, in any possible combination, of the following: wherein the fluid is water; wherein the fluid passes through the treatment structure by the force of gravity; wherein the fluid passes through the treatment structure by siphoning, pumping, and/or upflow; wherein the treatment structure is moved through the fluid so that the treatment structure takes in fluid and said fluid passes through the treatment structure for treating thereby; wherein electric current flows through substantially all of the treatment structure; wherein electric current flows through a portion of the treatment structure; wherein the treatment structure contains base material and the electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material is in the base material; wherein the base material is one of nylon, plastic, fibers, granular media, fabric, fibril materials, filamentous materials, Kevlar, ballistic material, inorganic or organic materials, biological organism selective materials, natural or synthetic materials, cotton, wool, polyester, fiber glass, metal, woven or nonwoven, air laid web material, sheets of material, interleaved sheets, material with pores or openings or pore sizes such that it does not filter fluid or material with pores or openings or pore sizes of such dimensions that fluid is filtered, material containing silver and/or silver material; wherein the base material contains silver and/or silver material; wherein the nanomaterial is one of nanotubes, nanorods, nanowires, nanoparticles, nanostructures, nanofibers, nanofabric, nanocylinders, nanographene, nanographene ribbons, transformed nanomaterials, functionalized nanomaterial, metallized nanomaterial, carbon nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes, single walled nanotubes, multi-walled nanotubes, functionalized nanotubes and metallized nanotubes; flowing treated fluid from the treatment structure; wherein the treated fluid contains dead things killed in the treatment structure, the method further including removing dead things from the treated fluid; wherein the treated fluid contains nanomaterial, the method further including removing nanomaterial from the treated fluid; wherein the removed nanomaterial contains magnetically attractive material, the method further including removing the nanomaterial containing magnetically attractive material with one of at least one magnet, a plurality of magnets, at least one magnet apparatus, and a plurality of magnet apparatuses; wherein the magnet apparatus is one of an electromagnet apparatus, at least one electromagnet apparatus, and a plurality of electromagnet apparatuses; wherein magnet apparatus is within the treatment structure, adjacent the treatment structure, within a member through which the treated fluid passes, or within a container containing the treated fluid; wherein the electric current heats fluid in the treatment structure; wherein the electric current boils fluid in the treatment structure; wherein the electric current heats fluid in the treatment structure thereby killing living things in the fluid; wherein a power source imposes a potential difference across the nanomaterial so that the electric current flows, the power source location being one of outside a container with the nanomaterial therein, within the nanomaterial, within base material, within filter material, adjacent nanomaterial, adjacent filter material, said power source including connectors for connection to impose the potential difference; and/or wherein the electric current is provided by a power source that is one of generator, solar power system, and battery.

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not necessarily all, embodiments treatment structures and methods for treating a fluid, the method including: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material; flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure; killing undesirable things in the treatment structure producing treated fluid; flowing the treated fluid back to the treatment structure; passing the treated fluid through the treatment structure; flowing an electric current in the treated fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure.

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not necessarily all, embodiments treatment structures and methods for treating a fluid, the methods including: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial, the fluid containing silver or silver material; flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure; and killing undesirable things in the treatment structure, wherein the fluid is moved through the treatment structure by siphoning or by pumping or wherein the treatment structure is moved through the fluid. Such a treatment structure and method may include the electrically conductive nanomaterial including electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver.

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not necessarily all, embodiments treatment structures and methods for treating a fluid, the methods including: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial, the fluid containing silver or silver material; flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial silver to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure, the electric current passing through only a portion of the treatment structure; and killing undesirable things in the treatment structure. In such a method and such a structure the electrically conductive nanomaterial includes electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material.

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not necessarily all, embodiments treatment structures and methods for treating a fluid, the methods including: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial, the fluid containing silver or silver material; flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial silver to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure; killing undesirable things in the treatment structure; flowing treated fluid from the treatment structure; and removing dead things from the treated fluid and/or removing nanomaterial from the treated fluid. In such a structure and in such a method the electrically conductive nanomaterial includes electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material.

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not necessarily all, embodiments treatment structures and methods for treating a fluid, the methods including: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial, the fluid containing silver or silver material; flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial silver to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure; and/or killing undesirable things in the treatment structure, and/or removing nanomaterial and/or silver material from the treated fluid. Such a treatment structure and/or such a method may include one or some, in any possible combination, of the following: the electrically conductive nanomaterial includes electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material; the removed nanomaterial contains magnetically attractive material, the method further including removing the nanomaterial containing magnetically attractive material with magnet apparatus; wherein the magnet apparatus is one of magnet, at least one magnet, a plurality of magnets, an electromagnet apparatus, at least one electromagnet apparatus, and a plurality of electromagnet apparatuses; and/or the magnet apparatus is within the treatment structure, adjacent the treatment structure, within a member through which the treated fluid passes, or within a container containing the treated fluid.

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not necessarily all, embodiments treatment structures and methods for treating a fluid, the methods including: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial, the fluid containing silver or silver material; flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial silver to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure; killing undesirable things in the treatment structure; wherein the electric current heats the electrically conductive nanomaterial which heats fluid in the treatment structure. Such a structure and such a method may include one or some, in any possible combination, of the following: the electric current boils fluid in the treatment structure; the electric current heats fluid in the treatment structure thereby killing living things in the fluid; and/or the electrically conductive nanomaterial includes electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material.

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not necessarily all, embodiments treatment structures and methods for treating a fluid, the methods including: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial; flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial material to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure; killing undesirable things in the treatment structure producing treated fluid; flowing the treated fluid back to the treatment structure; passing the treated fluid through the treatment structure; flowing an electric current in the treated fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure. In such a method, optionally the electrically conductive nanomaterial includes electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material.

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not necessarily all, embodiments treatment structures and methods for treating a fluid, the methods including: a treatment structure for treating fluid, e.g., but not limited to water, air, and liquid, the treatment structure including: base material; electrically conductive nanomaterial including electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material. Such a structure may include a power source for applying current to the electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material to kill things in the fluid, e.g., but not limited to a solar power apparatus, generator, or battery and/or the structure may be a liquid filter or an air filter.

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not necessarily all, embodiments treatment structures and methods for treating a fluid, the methods including: passing fluid up through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial; flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial silver to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure; and killing undesirable things in the treatment structure. In such a method a removal apparatus may facilitate flow of fluid from the treatment structure; the removal apparatus may be one of pump and vacuum apparatus; the treatment structure may be one or two or more screen apparatuses; at least one of the treatment structure and the fluid may contain silver material; the treatment structure may be a filter; and/or a power source may impose a potential difference across the nanomaterial so that the electric current flows, the power source location being one of outside a housing containing the treatment structure therein, within material in the housing that contains the nanomaterial, and within the housing but not within the material that contains the nanomaterial.

The present invention, in certain aspects, discloses vibratory separators and shale shakers, and screen(s) used with them with killing ability to kill living things in fluids flowing to and/or from a separator or shaker. In certain aspects such a separator or shaker has a screen or screens according to the present invention suitable for use with a separator or shaker, e.g., a screen with the silver or silver material as in (but not limited to) the screens of FIGS. 19A. 19B, 20A, 20B, and 22 and the screens of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/374,243 filed 16 Dec. 2011. In certain particular aspects, the vibratory separator is a shale shaker used in wellbore operations to process drilling fluid with solids therein; e.g. but not limited to, those disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/374,243 and those referred to in this application.

In certain aspects, silver, silver material, /or a silver solution (“silver etc.”) is introduced either into an initial stream fed to a separator (or shaker) or into a receiver that receives an initial stream. In another aspect, silver, etc. is fed separately to a component or components of a separator system. In one aspect in which the separator is a shale shaker, silver etc. is applied to, introduced into, or fed to one, two, or all three of: initial feed stream itself; receptacle, tank, or “possum belly” into which an initial stream is introduced; and/or directly onto screening apparatus of the shale shaker (with a screen or screens essentially all at one general level or with a screen or screens at two, three, four or more distinct levels). Optionally, killing material is added into any of these structures, streams and/or screen(s) to kill living things therein.

The present invention provides shale shaker screens with screening material, media, or mesh made, in whole or in part of silver or silver material and, optionally, with nanomaterial with silver or silver material therein or thereon.

FIG. 22 illustrates a system 270 according to the present invention including screens used in vibratory separators to screen out solids from an initial flow stream. An initial feed stream 273 is fed to a vibratory separator 271 that has a screen (or screens) 272. The screen(s) 272 have silver material ST (like any silver material disclosed herein; e.g., like any silver material SM in other embodiments) therein or thereon and, when operating correctly and when undamaged, screen out solids Z from the stream 273. The solids Z are of a known size (largest dimension) and the screen(s) is chosen with mesh that will screen out solids of this size.

Silver and/or silver material 278 may, optionally, be added to the stream 273, of a size that will pass through the screens, of a size that will not pass through the screens, or both. The solids Z flow off the top of the screen(s) 272 to a discharge area. Screened fluid that has passed through the screens flow away in a stream 275 (four down pointing arrows below separator 271; material 278 that may have passed through screen(s) 272 shown in dotted lines).

In one particular aspect the stream 273 is a stream of drilling fluid or mud that contains solids (e.g., and not by way of limitation debris, drilled cuttings, and/or drilled solids) which are to be screened out of the fluid by known screen(s), e.g., “shale shaker screens,” with a vibratory separator often called a “shale shaker.” The screen(s) 272 may be any known shale shaker screen, but with silver or silver material in and/or on the screening material according to the present invention, e.g., a screen like the screens in FIGS. 19A, 19B, 20A and 20B (and made to withstand the vibrations, substances, and conditions encountered in a vibratory separator or shale shaker) with screening material, mesh, or layer(s) with silver material as that in the screens of FIGS. 19A-20B; the screening material, etc. being any suitable material used with vibratory separator screens or shale shaker screens; and the separator 271 may be any known shale shaker, e.g., but not limited to, those disclosed in, U.S. application Ser. No. 13/374,243 filed 16 Dec. 2011.

Optionally, the screen or screens 272 of the shale shaker 271 may have nanomaterial NM therein and/or thereon (e.g., as in any filter material, media, mesh, screening material, etc. herein according to the present invention) with a power source 279 which applies a voltage across the nanomaterial. A control system 276 controls the power source 279 and can be any suitable control system disclosed herein.

In one aspect, the nanomaterial is any electrically conductive nanomaterial, including, but not limited to, those disclosed herein.

The present invention provides a membrane with carbon nanotubes embedded in a matrix. In one aspect the nanotubes are hollow allowing fluid passage therethrough and the matrix is impervious to the fluid that is to flow through the nanotubes. In one aspect the matrix is simply the material that adheres the nanotubes together (and it does not impede or prevent fluid flow) and the nanotubes act as a filter media with pores between adjacent nanotubes providing the pore size for filtration. In one aspect, the matrix is a solid polymeric matrix through which the fluid that is passable through hollow nanotubes cannot pass.

FIG. 23A shows a membrane 300 according to the present invention which has hollow carbon nanotubes 302 trough which fluid can flow embedded in a matrix 304. It is within the scope of the present invention for the nanotubes to project below the bottom side of the membrane (the bottom as viewed in FIG. 23A; the projection like the projection of the nanotubes from the top of the membrane as shown); or to end at the bottom surface of the membrane (as shown in FIG. 23A). The carbon nanotubes may be any suitable nanotubes for the desired filtration and for addressing the fluid to be encountered, e.g., but not limited to, carbon nanotubes as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,993,524; and the matrix may be any suitable matrix material, solid or porous, including, but not limited to, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,993,524.

In one aspect, the carbon nanotubes are metallized nanotubes that include silver and/or silver material (any disclosed herein) and/or functionalized nanotubes that include silver or silver material SL (any silver material disclosed herein); and, optionally, in one aspect, the matrix includes silver material SM in an amount effective to kill living things in the fluid to be filtered (as is true for the amount of silver material in any embodiment herein).

In one aspect, a system V imposes a potential difference across the membrane 300 (either across the nanotubes or the matrix, or both) thereby applying a current which is sufficient to kill things in the fluid flowing through or into contact with the membrane 300 (with the current and the type and amount of nanotubes sufficient and effective to achieve the killing). Optionally the matrix 304 also contains electrically conductive material EC (as may be true for a matrix in any of FIGS. 23B-23D).

FIG. 23B illustrates a composite membrane 310 according to the present invention which includes a polymeric membrane 312 with embedded nanotubes 313 formed directly over a microporous support layer 314 which in turn is, optionally, supported by a layer of fabric 315, woven or non-woven. The fabric layer 315, when present, provides structural support to the microporous layer 314. Any suitable nanotubes, microporous support material, and fabric may be used, including, but not limited to, those disclosed in, or in patents and references cited in, U.S. Pat. No. 7,993,524 (as is true for fabric in FIGS. 23C and 23D). Any suitable fabric may be used for the fabrics of FIGS. 23A-23D, including suitable woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics (including, but not limited to air-laid webs and vacuum deposited materials).

Any part or layer of the membrane 310 (and of the membranes of FIGS. 23A, 23C, and 23D) may have silver material SM; and only one, only two or all three of the layers of the membrane may have the material SM, in a sufficient amount to kill living things in fluid flowing through or in contact with the membrane.

In one aspect, the carbon nanotubes 313 are metallized nanotubes that include silver and/or silver material (any disclosed herein) and/or functionalized nanotubes that include silver or silver material.

In one aspect, a system V imposes a potential difference across the membrane 310 (any layer or layers) thereby applying a current to the nanotubes 313 and/or to optional nanomaterial NM (in any or all layers) which is sufficient to kill things in the fluid flowing through or into contact with the membrane 310.

FIG. 23C illustrates a composite membrane 320 according to the present invention which has a fabric layer 322, a microporous support layer 324, and an outer polymeric layer 326, with carbon nanotubes 328. These layers and nanotubes may be any such layers and nanotubes described above regarding the membranes of FIGS. 23A and 23B, with silver material SM and/or nanomaterial NM. In one aspect, a system V imposes a potential difference across the membrane 320 (either across the nanotubes or the matrix, or any or all layers) thereby applying a current which is sufficient to kill things in the fluid flowing through or into contact with the membrane 320 (with the current and the type and amount of nanotubes sufficient and effective to achieve the killing).

FIG. 23D illustrates a composite membrane 330 according to the present invention which has a fabric layer 332, a microporous support layer 334, a polymeric layer 336, a matrix layer 337, with carbon nanotubes 328. These layers and nanotubes may be any such layers and nanotubes described above regarding the membranes of FIGS. 23A-23C, with silver material SM and/or nanomaterial NM. In one aspect, a system V imposes a potential difference across the membrane 330 (either across the nanotubes or the matrix, or any or all layers) thereby applying a current which is sufficient to kill things in the fluid flowing through or into contact with the membrane 320 (with the current and the type and amount of nanotubes sufficient and effective to achieve the killing).

The present invention provides improvements to the filtration membranes disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,993,524, improvements neither taught nor suggested by this patent and improvements which are not obvious in view of this patent. According to the present invention, silver material and/or nanomaterial are added to the nanotubes, matricies, fabrics and/or layers of the membranes of U.S. Pat. No. 7,993,524, along with, optionally, apparatus for imposing a potential difference across electrically conductive material (nanotubes or otherwise) present in such a membrane. Such membranes include, but are not limited to, membranes for filtration by size exclusion formed from open-ended nanotubes embedded in a polymeric matrix which forms a layer whose thickness is substantially less than the average length of the nanotubes, allowing the nanotubes to be randomly oriented throughout the matrix while providing channels extending through the layer for the selective passage of molecular species or particles based on size.

The present invention provides filters with a porous supporting component and a carbon nanotube filtration membrane sintered on a top surface of the porous supporting component. In one aspect, as shown schematically in FIG. 24, a filter 340 has a porous supporting component 342 with a number of pores, of any suitable size, e.g., but not limited to micro-scale pores, and a filtration membrane 344 configured as a network formed by aggregating a number of multi-junction carbon nanotubes 346 (items in drawing figure are not to scale). The carbon nanotubes 346, optionally, are two-dimensional junction carbon nanotubes, three-dimensional junction carbon nanotubes, or a mixture thereof. Any suitable membrane material may be used and any suitable support material may be used, including, but not limited to, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,625,426.

In one aspect, the carbon nanotubes 346 are metallized nanotubes that include silver and/or silver material (any disclosed herein) and/or functionalized nanotubes that include silver or silver material SL (any silver material disclosed herein); and, optionally, in one aspect, the support 342 includes silver material SM in an amount effective to kill living things in the fluid to be filtered (as is true for the amount of silver material in any embodiment herein).

In one aspect, a system V imposes a potential difference across the filter 340 (either across the nanotubes or the support, or both) thereby applying a current which is sufficient to kill things in the fluid flowing through or into contact with the membrane 340 (with the current and the type and amount of nanotubes sufficient and effective to achieve the killing). Optionally the support 340 also contains electrically conductive material EC.

The present invention provides systems with nanostructured materials including nanotubes, e.g., carbon nanotubes, e.g., but not limited to, defective carbon nanotubes, for example impregnated, functionalized, doped, charged, coated, and/or irradiated nanotubes, and combinations thereof. Certain usable defective carbon nanotubes contain a defect which is a lattice distortion in at least one carbon ring. Optionally a power source provides a potential difference across the nanostructured material to provide current to kill living things passing through the material; and/or silver material is used in the nanotubes and/or in a support for the nanotubes. The nanostructured material may be any material as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,815,806.

Such nanostructured materials according to the present invention with silver and/or silver material can be used in methods of purifying fluids, such as liquids, including water, as well as gases, including air.

In one aspect, a nanostructured material 350 according to the present invention (FIG. 25A) is attached to a micron metal mesh support 352. In one aspect, the nanostructured material 350 is carbon nanotubes which are metallized nanotubes that include silver and/or silver material (any disclosed herein) and/or functionalized nanotubes that include silver or silver material SL (any silver material disclosed herein); and, optionally, in one aspect, the support 342 includes silver material SM therein or thereon in an amount effective to kill living things in the fluid to be treated (as is true for the amount of silver material in any embodiment herein).

In one aspect, a system V imposes a potential difference across the material 350 (either across the nanotubes or the support, or both) thereby applying a current which is sufficient to kill things in the fluid flowing through or into contact with the material 350 (with the current and the type and amount of nanotubes sufficient and effective to achieve the killing). Optionally the support 350 is made from electrically conductive material. In one aspect, the material 350 is like the material of FIG. 13, U.S. Pat. No. 7,815,806, but with improvements according to the present invention.

FIG. 25B shows a material 360 according to the present invention with nanotubes 362 in a a support structure 364 (cellulose acetate) wrapping themselves around the fibers 366 of the support structure 364.

In one aspect, the nanotubes 362 are carbon nanotubes which are metallized nanotubes that include silver and/or silver material (any disclosed herein), and/or functionalized nanotubes, that include silver or silver material SL (any silver material disclosed herein). In one aspect, the fibers 366 include silver material SM therein or thereon in an amount effective to kill living things in the fluid to be treated (as is true for the amount of silver material in any embodiment herein).

In one aspect, a system V imposes a potential difference across the material 360 (either across the nanotubes or the fibers, or both) thereby applying a current which is sufficient to kill things in the fluid flowing through or into contact with the material 360 (with the current and the type and amount of nanotubes sufficient and effective to achieve the killing). Optionally the fibers 366 are made from electrically conductive material. In one aspect, the material and fibers are like the material and fibers of FIG. 14, U.S. Pat. No. 7,815,806, but with improvements according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 shows a water treatment composition according to the present invention which is like that of U.S. Pat. No. 7,655,148, but with improvements according to the present invention. For example, a “bird's nest” structure 370 as shown in FIG. 26 is made as in U.S. Pat. No. 7,655,148, but with the addition of silver material SM within the structure. Optionally, the structure 370 is made of nanotubes, e.g., carbon nanotubes; e.g., carbon nanotubes which are metallized nanotubes that include silver and/or silver material (any disclosed herein), and/or functionalized nanotubes, that include silver or silver material (any silver material disclosed herein).

In one aspect, a system V imposes a potential difference across the structure 370 thereby applying a current which is sufficient to kill things in the material flowing through or into contact with the structure (with the current and the type and amount of nanotubes sufficient and effective to achieve the killing). Any structure of U.S. Pat. No. 7,655,148 may be used, but with the improvements of the present invention.

The present invention provides articles for removing contaminants from a fluid, the article including carbon nanotubes in a nanomesh. In one embodiment a system 380 according to the present invention has a nanomesh 384 mounted in a housing 382. Contaminated fluid, indicated by the darker arrows, flows to and through the nanomesh 384 and purified fluid (lighter arrows) flows from the nanomesh 384 and out of the housing 382.

The nanomesh 384 is made with carbon nanotubes 386 and supporting fibers 388.

In one aspect the carbon nanotubes 386 (shown schematically as a line) are metallized nanotubes that include silver and/or silver material (any disclosed herein), and/or functionalized nanotubes, that include silver or silver material (any silver material disclosed herein). In one aspect, the fibers 388 are silver or silver material, or they have or contain silver or silver material—the various silver or silver materials for killing living things in fluid flowing through the nanomesh 384. Any suitable known fibers may be used for the fibers 388, of any suitable known material.

In one aspect, a system V imposes a potential difference across the system 380 thereby applying a current which is sufficient to kill things in the material flowing through or into contact with the system.

In the system 380, the nanomesh may be any suitable nanomesh made with any acceptable known method; including, but not limited to, any nanomesh disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,419,601 (with an improvement or improvements according to the present invention) and or with any fibers disclosed in this patent (with or without an improvement or improvements according to the present invention).

It is within the scope of the present invention to provide improvements according to the present invention to the articles for removing contaminants disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,419,601; including, but not limited to, the application of a potential difference to electrically conductive material sufficient to kill living things in flowing fluid and/or the use of nanotubes having silver material therein and/or thereon.

FIG. 28A shows a system 2220 in which a fluid flow stream 2228 flows through a structure 2222. In one aspect, the fluid is an industrial fluid (e.g., but not limited to, fracking fluid) and in another aspect the fluid is a stream with bodily material or it is a stream of bodily material. The stream 2228 contains nanomaterial 2226 (not to scale) which has magnetically attractive material MAM therein and/or thereon. Magnets 2224 in the stream 2228 attract the material 2226 and prevent it from flowing on with the stream 2228. The structure 222 may be any conduit through which the stream may flow, including, but not limited to, conduits within an animal or human body. One magnet 2224 may be used or a plurality of magnets.

FIG. 28B shows a system 2221 in which a fluid flow stream 2229 flows through a structure 2223. In one aspect, the fluid is an industrial fluid and in another aspect, the fluid is a stream with bodily material or it is a stream of bodily material. The stream 2229 contains nanomaterial 2227 (not to scale) which has magnetically attractive material MAM therein and/or thereon. Magnets 2228 adjacent the stream 2229, but not in it, attract the material 2227 through the structure 2228 and prevent it from flowing on with the stream 2229. The structure 2222 may be any conduit through which the stream may flow, including, but not limited to, conduits within an animal or human body. One magnet 223 may be used or a plurality of magnets 2228.

FIG. 3 shows a system 2230 according to the present invention for removing nanomaterial from a stream 2231. The nanomaterial (not shown) in the stream 2231 (fluid, slurry, gas, vapor, gas with solids entrained therein, etc.) has magnetically attractive material therein and/or thereon and is either electrically conductive or not. A pump 2232 pumps the stream 2231 through the system 2230. An apparatus 2234 has at least one magnet 2235 or a plurality of magnet(s) and/or magnet apparatus 2236 or apparatuses. As the stream 2231 flows through the apparatus 2234, the magnet(s) 2235 and/or apparatus 2236 (or apparatuses) remove the nanomaterial from the stream 231 by magnetically attracting the nanomaterial.

Optionally, the output stream 2237 of the apparatus 2236 is fed to further apparatus 2238 which is nanomaterial removal apparatus (e.g., but not limited to, separation apparatus; cyclone apparatus; centrifuge apparatus; apparatus which employs coagulation of nanomaterial, sedimentation of nanomaterial, flocculation of nanomaterial and/or aggregation of nanomaterial; apparatus for electrocoagualtion of nanomaterial, microfiltration of nanomaterial, and/or electro filtration of nanomaterial; microfluidic particle separation systems (e.g., any such known system with the improvements according to the present invention and/or any known microfluidic method used according to the present invention, including, but not limited to those in U.S. Pat. No. 8,123,044 and in the references cited in this patent), apparatus for magnetic seeding of nanomaterial; apparatus for membrane filtration of nanomaterial—and any system herein or module herein shown schematically can be any of these or employ the techniques of any of these). The magnet(s) and/or apparatuses 236 may be located in the stream flowing through the apparatus 234 or adjacent to the stream.

In one particular aspect, the pump 2232 pumps water or blood from a source (including, but not limited to a container, a filtration system, a transfusion apparatus, an animal or human being) and then pumps the treated blood back to the source with nanomaterial removed therefrom. The optional apparatus 238 may be used with any system or method according to the present invention. It is also within the scope of the present invention to use an apparatus 2238 ahead of the apparatus 234 so that the apparatus 2238 removes nanomaterial before the stream 2231 is processed by the apparatus 2234.

FIG. 30 shows a system 2240 according to the present invention in which blood from an animal, e.g., a person P, is treated by an apparatus 2242 according to the present invention to remove nanomaterial from the animal. The apparatus 2242 is like an embodiment of the apparatus 2234, FIG. 29, or like any of the apparatuses or system disclosed herein according to the present invention for removing nanomaterial. When the apparatus 2242 is like the apparatus 2234, the nanomaterial removed has magnetically attractive material therein and/or thereon.

Optionally, a pump apparatus 2249, e.g. like any pump or pump apparatus referred to herein, pumps the blood from the animal to the and through the apparatus 2242. Optionally, the system 2240 includes an apparatus 238 a, like the apparatus 238, FIG. 29, which removes nanomaterial from the blood. Optionally, the system 2240 includes an apparatus 2238 b, like the apparatus 2238, FIG. 29 which removes nanomaterial from the blood.

In one aspect, the apparatus 2242 is eliminated or bypassed and the apparatus 2238 a, the apparatus 2238 b, or both of them are used, whether or not the nanomaterial to be removed has magnetically attractive material therein or thereon. Optionally, additional nanomaterial removal apparatuses AP and/or AT are used (which may be any system disclosed herein according to the present invention and/or which use any method disclosed herein according to the present invention).

In certain aspects, the present invention provides a method to remove nanomaterial from a fluid or from a bodily material in which the nanomaterial has a tag thereon and nanomaterial removal is facilitated using the tag. As one option, the tag may contain a ferromagnetic material and the removing may include applying a magnetic field. As another option, the tag may contain an ionic material and the removing may include applying an electric field. As a further option, the tag may contain an atom having an atomic mass greater than the atomic mass of another element, e.g., but not limited to, carbon, and the removing may include applying a centrifugal force to separate the nanomaterial. Any two or more of all of the removal techniques herein may be combined. Any known tag and any known tagging method may be used, including, but not limited to, those disclosed in or referred to in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20120039790 naming Sandhu as applicant, and any tag or method disclosed in references cited in this application. Nanomaterial may be tagged inside a body or outside a body, inside a fluid or outside a fluid.

FIG. 31A shows schematically a system 860 according to the present invention for removing nanomaterial NE from bodily material. Bodily material is removed from a body B (e.g., a living human being) and flows to a treatment module 862 which removes the nanomaterial NE from the bodily material. Optionally, the bodily material with the or some nanomaterial removed, flows back into the body B.

The module 862 may be a system that removes nanomaterial—either any known system or any system according to the present invention; including, but not limited to, any of the systems herein, and a centrifugal nanomaterial removal system. In one particular aspect, the bodily material removed from the body B is blood and/or plasma. In another aspect, the bodily material removed from the body B is urine. In another aspect, the bodily material is feces. In another aspect, the bodily material is bile. In another aspect, the bodily material is lung fluid and/or mucous. In another aspect, the bodily material is saliva.

FIG. 31B shows schematically a system 864 according to the present invention for removing nanomaterial NT from bodily material. The system 864 is within the body B (e.g., but not limited to in or near a bone; in or near a blood vessel, vein, or artery; in or near a body part or organ, e.g., liver, kidney, heart, lung, gall bladder, brain, intestine, stomach, cartilage, lymph system, bowel, testicle). Bodily material with nanomaterial NT therein flows to a treatment module 866 which removes the nanomaterial NT from the bodily material.

Optionally, the bodily material with the or some nanomaterial removed flows back into the body B (as shown); or, as indicated by arrow R, the bodily material with nanomaterial removed is evacuated from the body B. Optionally, the module 66 is removed from the body B with the nanomaterial NT therein (illustrated by the module 66 shown apart from the body B).

Optionally, the module 866 has a collection structure 868 which collects removed nanomaterial NT. Optionally, the collection structure 868 may be removed from the module 866 and from the body B (illustrated by the collection structure 868 shown apart from the body B).

The module 864 may be a system that removes nanomaterial—either any known system or any system according to the present invention, including, but not limited to, any of the systems herein, and a centrifugal nanomaterial removal system.

In one particular aspect, the bodily material removed from the body B is blood and/or plasma. In another aspect, the bodily material removed from the body B is urine. In another aspect, the bodily material is feces. In another aspect, the bodily material is bile. In another aspect, the bodily material is lung fluid and/or mucous. In another aspect, the bodily material is saliva.

FIGS. 31C-31D illustrate techniques for removing nanomaterial. In one aspect, the nanomaterial is tagged nanotubes. FIGS. 31C and 31E illustrate embodiments including applying a magnetic field.

In FIG. 31C, a bodily material 862 within a reservoir 840 contains a nanomaterial 848 some or all of which may be magnetically attractive nanomaterial 850 (tagged or otherwise) and/or may include ferromagnetically tagged nanotubes. A suspension device 858 maintains the nanomaterials 848 (and 850, if present) in a state suitable for use in a separation device 880. In the case where the material is liquid, suspension device 858 may include a stirring mechanism. Also, the nanomaterial may be miscible in the liquid to provide a uniform distribution. Even though reservoir 840 is shown as an open reservoir, a closed reservoir may be used inside a body.

A flow 852 of material 862 containing nanomaterial 848 (and, if present, nanomaterial 850) enters separation device 880 through a duct 842. A magnetic field B applied to flow 852 moves nanomaterial away from the remainder of the material. A flow 854 containing nanomaterial enters a duct 844 while a flow of the remaining material enters a duct 846.

A flow 854 may contain some or all of nanomaterial 850, e.g., if the nanomaterial 850 includes ferromagnetically tagged nanomaterial or nanotubes.

Instead of a material containing the nanomaterial flowing through a duct, FIG. 31E illustrates another method wherein a bodily material 898 in a reservoir 890 contains nanomaterial 892 which is magnetically attractive nanomaterial (tagged or otherwise) and may include ferromagnetically tagged nanotubes 894. A magnet 896 in material 898 applies a magnetic field and attracts nanomaterial 892 and/or ferromagnetically tagged nanotubes 894. Removing magnet 896 from material 898 may thus remove nanomaterial 92 and/or tagged nanotubes 894 from material 898 by virtue of their attraction to magnet 896. Nanomaterial 892 and tagged nanotubes 94 (if present) may be suspended in material 898 using mechanisms such as those described above for suspension device 858 in FIG. 31C. The material 898, in one particular aspect, is blood. In another aspect, it is urine. In another aspect, it is feces. In another aspect, it is bile. In another aspect, it is lung fluid and/or mucus. In another aspect, it is saliva.

FIG. 31D illustrates a method referred to herein as magnetic plating. In the same sense that electroplating allows metal ions to plate onto an electrode, forming a metal layer, a magnetic plating method allows ferromagnetic material to plate onto a magnetized surface, forming a layer of such material. The magnetized surface may be that of a permanent magnet, electromagnet, etc. The magnet may be constructed with a shape that increases its surface area and/or may comprise a porous material, which increases surface area.

FIG. 31D illustrates a nanomaterial separation method analogous to that shown in FIG. 31C except that nanomaterial 18 is or includes an ionic material. In FIG. 31 the ionic nanomaterial or ionic tags are cationic as indicated by a “+” sign associated with nanomaterial 818. As may be appreciated, a bodily material 832 in a reservoir 810 contains nanomaterial 818 and, if present, ionically charged tagged nanotubes 820.

A flow 822 of nanomaterial 818 and, if present, tagged nanotubes 820 in material 832 enters a duct 812. An electric field E is applied to flow 822, moving nanomaterial 818 and, if present, tagged nanotubes 820 away from the remainder of the material (flow 826) such that a flow 824 enters a duct 814 and contains nanomaterial 818 and/or tagged nanotubes 820. The flow 826 enters a duct 816. Thus, separation occurs within a separation device 30.

The material 832, in one particular aspect, is blood. In another aspect, it is urine. In another aspect, it is feces. In another aspect, it is bile. In another aspect, it is lung fluid and/or mucus. In another aspect, it is saliva.

FIG. 31F illustrates a nanomaterial separation method analogous to that shown in FIG. 31E. A bodily material 882 in a reservoir 870 contains ionically charged nanomaterial 872 and, if present, ionically tagged nanotubes 874. An anode 878 and a cathode 80 in material 82 are connected to a voltage source 876. Given the presence of the ionically charged nanomaterial 872 and/or ionic tags on tagged nanotubes 874, nanomaterial 872 and/or tagged nanotubes 874 may be attracted to and “plate” onto anode 878. The technique involves principles related to conventional electroplating, with the nanomaterial and/or tagged nanotubes comprising the material plated. Understandably, material 82 may be an electrolyte material.

The material 882, in one particular aspect, is blood. In another aspect, it is urine. In another aspect, it is feces. In another aspect, it is bile. In another aspect, it is lung fluid and/or mucus. In another aspect, it is saliva.

In one removal technique for removing nanomaterial, a centrifugal force is applied to nanomaterial in a fluid or in a bodily fluid. A variety of centrifuges are known, from familiar laboratory centrifuges to ultra-high efficiency centrifuges, which are used to separate materials and/or elemental isotopes by a specific gravity difference. Nanomaterial with different atomic mass from other material and/or tagged nanotubes tagged using atoms having an atomic mass greater than the atomic mass of other material, e.g., but not limited to, carbon may change the nanomaterial's specific gravity compared to other material and/or to untagged nanotubes, allowing separation by applying a centrifugal force, such as in a centrifuge.

In the case of nanomaterial with, made of or formed from carbon, a nanomaterial may be tagged with a tag that contains an atom having an atomic mass greater than the atomic mass of carbon. Thus, the tagged nanomaterial may exhibit a specific gravity different from that of the other substances or elements in a bodily material. Applying a centrifugal force may consequently move the tagged nanomaterial away from the untagged material.

In a centrifuge, a separated fraction with tagged nanomaterial may be removed from the centrifuge, leaving behind the other fraction(s). Conventional centrifuges represent suitable devices for applying a centrifugal force. However, it is conceivable that other devices may be suitable.

FIG. 31G shows a system 8130 according to the present invention for separating nanomaterial from other material which uses electrostatic separation principles. Material M with nanomaterial NM and other material OM flows to a charger which produces charged nanomaterial NMC and uncharged other material OM; uncharged nanomaterial and charged other material OMC; or (not shown, nanomaterial with one charge and other material with an opposite charge). The material from the charger flows to a separator that separates the nanomaterial from the other material based on the charge of one material or the other, or both.

FIG. 32 shows a system according to the present invention which illustrates that for one stream or batch of fluid or of material, multiple types of nanomaterial separation may be applied, and, optionally, a separation step or process can be have already-treated material recycled through it for further processing. Fluid or material MT which has nanomaterial NR and other material OS is fed to a first separation system A which produces separated nanomaterial NRa and a stream that is fed to a second system B. The second system B produces separated nanomaterial NRb and a stream that is fed to a third system C. The third system C produces a stream with other material OS and a stream of separated nanomaterial NRc.

It is within the scope of the present invention, as shown by the dotted-line arrows in FIG. 32, for the stream produced by either system B or system C to flow back to another system for further processing thereby. This can be repeated as often as desired.

Each of the systems A, B, C may be any system disclosed herein for separating nanomaterial from other material. The material that is processed through the systems A, B, and C may be any material disclosed herein, including, but not limited to, bodily fluids and industrial fluids (including, but not limited to, any fluid used in the oil and gas industries). Any one or two of the system A, B, and C may be deleted.

FIG. 33 shows a fluid treatment system 8150 according to the present invention which can be used to treat bodily material, e.g., dialysate fluid, blood or blood plasma. In certain aspects, the system 8150 is a system for hemodialysis procedures which includes an extracorporeal circuit 1; a dialyzer 2; a dialysis fluid circuit 3; a waste outlet 4; a concentrated dialysate input 5; a dialysis machine (6); treated water 7; water purification 8; and source water 9. At least one or a plurality of modules 10 are used for removing nanomaterial. Such module(s) may be any system or apparatus employing any method herein according to the present invention; and may be, inter alia, any of those shown and described in FIGS. 6C-6G and/or a centrifuge system.

The present invention provides, in at least certain aspects, a method for removing nanomaterial from a fluid or from bodily material, the method including: applying a tag to or depositing a tag on nanomaterial producing tagged nanomaterial; and removing the tagged nanomaterial from the fluid or from the bodily material by using the tag. Such a method may include one or some—in any possible combination—of the following: wherein the tag is applied to or deposited on the nanomaterial by any method disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20120039790 published Feb. 16, 2012; wherein the tag is any tag disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20120039790 published Feb. 16, 2012; wherein the tag is a ferromagnetic material and the removing comprises applying a magnetic field; wherein the tag is an ionic material and the removing comprises applying an electric field; providing an ionic material on the tagged nanomaterial, wherein the removing is applying an electric field; severing a portion of the tag, leaving an ionic material on the tagged nanomaterial, wherein the removing is applying an electric field; wherein a portion of the tag dissociates into a solvent, leaving an ionic material on the tagged nanomaterial, and the removing is applying an electric field; wherein the removing is electroplating; wherein the nanomaterial includes carbon nanotubes, the tag is an atom having an atomic mass greater than the atomic mass of carbon, and the removing is applying a centrifugal force to the bodily material; wherein the nanomaterial is one of nanotubes, nanorods, nanowires, nanoparticles, nanostructures, nanofibers, nanofabric, nanocylinders, nanographene, nanographene ribbons, transformed nanomaterials, functionalized nanomaterial, metallized nanomaterial, carbon nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes, single walled nanotubes, multi-walled nanotubes, functionalized nanotubes and metallized nanotubes; and/or wherein the removed nanomaterial contains magnetically attractive material, the method further comprising removing the nanomaterial containing magnetically attractive material with one of at least one magnet, a plurality of magnets, at least one magnet apparatus, and a plurality of magnet apparatuses, wherein the magnet apparatus is, optionally, one of an electromagnet apparatus, at least one electromagnet apparatus, and a plurality of electromagnet apparatuses.

The present invention provides, in at least certain aspects, a method for treating a fluid, the method including: the fluid containing nanomaterial, the nanomaterial having magnetically attractive material, attracting the nanomaterial with magnet apparatus, thereby removing the nanomaterial from the fluid. Such a method may include one or some—in any possible combination—of the following: wherein the nanomaterial is one of electrically conductive nanomaterial or non-electrically conductive nanomaterial; wherein the magnet apparatus is at least one magnet; wherein the magnet apparatus is at least one electromagnet apparatus; wherein the magnet apparatus is located in a location which is one of within the fluid or adjacent the fluid without being in contact with the fluid; wherein the fluid is blood; wherein the fluid is pumped through the magnet apparatus; wherein the fluid is blood of a living animal and the blood is pumped from the living animal to the magnet apparatus and is then pumped back to the living animal; wherein the animal is a human being; removing nanomaterial from the fluid with nanomaterial removal apparatus which does not utilize magnetic removal; wherein the fluid is an industrial fluid; and/or wherein the fluid is one of drilling fluid, completion fluid, lost circulation fluid, injection fluid, cement, brine and fracturing fluid.

The present invention provides, in at least certain aspects, a method for separating nanomaterial from a fluid, the method including any such method according to the present invention.

The present invention provides, in at least certain aspects, a system for separating nanomaterial from a fluid, the system including any such method according to the present invention.

The present invention provides, in at least certain aspects, a method for separating nanomaterial from bodily material, the method including any such method according to the present invention.

The present invention provides, in at least certain aspects, a system for separating nanomaterial from bodily material, the system comprising any such method according to the present invention; and/or a system for separating nanomaterial from a fluid, the system useful in or with any method according to the present invention; and/or a method for separating nanomaterial from a fluid, the fluid being fluid recovered from a fracturing operation, the fluid having been introduced into earth as part of the fracturing operation, the method comprising any suitable nanomaterial removal method according to the present invention.

In conclusion, the present invention and its embodiments herein and covered by the appended claims are well adapted to carry out the objectives and ends set forth. Certain changes can be made in the subject matter without departing from the spirit and the scope of this invention. It is intended that each element or step recited herein is to be understood as referring to the step literally and/or to all equivalent elements or steps. It is intended to cover the invention as broadly as legally possible in whatever form it may be utilized. The invention described herein is new and novel in accordance with 35 U.S.C. Section 102. The invention described is not obvious in accordance with 35 U.S.C. Section 103 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in Section 103. All patents and applications identified herein are incorporated fully herein for all purposes. The word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. 

1.-90. (canceled)
 91. A method for removing nanomaterial from bodily material, the method comprising: applying a tag to nanomaterial producing tagged nanomaterial; combining the tagged nanomaterial and bodily material; and removing the tagged nanomaterial from the bodily material by using the tag.
 92. The method of claim 91 wherein the bodily material is a body fluid.
 93. The method of claim 91 wherein the tag comprises a ferromagnetic material and the removing comprises applying a magnetic field.
 94. The method of claim 91 wherein the tag comprises an ionic material and the removing comprises applying an electric field.
 95. The method of claim 91 including severing a portion of the tag, leaving an ionic material on the tagged nanomaterial, wherein the removing comprises applying an electric field.
 96. The method of claim 91 wherein a portion of the tag dissociates into a solvent, leaving an ionic material on the tagged nanomaterial, and the removing comprises applying an electric field.
 97. The method of claim 91 wherein the removing comprises electroplating.
 98. The method of claim 91 wherein the nanomaterial comprises carbon nanotubes, the tag comprises an atom having an atomic mass greater than the atomic mass of carbon, and the removing comprises applying a centrifugal force to the bodily material.
 99. The method of claim 91 wherein the nanomaterial is one of nanotubes, nanorods, nanowires, nanoparticles, nanostructures, nanofibers, nanofabric, nanocylinders, nanographene, nanographene ribbons, transformed nanomaterials, functionalized nanomaterial, metallized nanomaterial, carbon nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes, single walled nanotubes, multi-walled nanotubes, functionalized nanotubes and metallized nanotubes.
 100. The method of claim 91 wherein the removed nanomaterial contains magnetically attractive material, the method further comprising removing the nanomaterial containing magnetically attractive material with one of at least one magnet, a plurality of magnets, at least one magnet apparatus, and a plurality of magnet apparatuses, wherein the magnet apparatus is, optionally, one of an electromagnet apparatus, at least one electromagnet apparatus, and a plurality of electromagnet apparatuses.
 101. A method for treating a fluid, the method comprising the fluid containing nanomaterial, the nanomaterial having magnetically attractive material, attracting the nanomaterial with magnet apparatus, thereby removing the nanomaterial from the fluid.
 102. The method of claim 101 wherein the nanomaterial is one of electrically conductive nanomaterial or non-electrically conductive nanomaterial.
 103. The method of claim 101 wherein the magnet apparatus is at least one electromagnet apparatus.
 104. The method of claim 101 wherein the magnet apparatus is not in contact with the fluid.
 105. The method of claim 101 further comprising pumping the fluid through the magnet apparatus.
 106. The method of claim 101 wherein the fluid is blood of a living animal and the blood is pumped from the living animal to the magnet apparatus and is then pumped back to the living animal.
 107. The method of claim 106 wherein the animal is a human being.
 108. The method of claim 101 wherein the fluid is blood.
 109. The method of claim 101 wherein the fluid is an industrial fluid.
 110. The method of claim 101 wherein the fluid is one of drilling fluid, completion fluid, lost circulation fluid, injection fluid, cement, brine and fracturing fluid. 